Almost all Filipino landlords want to steal the deposit. Most of them are nightmares, too. They rent the place out but still think they own everything and you have zero rights.

Many people use the two-month deposit as the last two months' rent. Most financially responsible landlords don't mind. In fact, it's convenient for both sides. Your situation sounds a bit complicated, though. Try to drag out the last payments if you can. The 'can't pay you now, let's see tomorrow' approach.

Top tip: when you're viewing the place or before signing, take a full video of everything in the condo while the agent is there. Get them on camera and say it openly: "Yeah, at my last place the landlord didn't return my deposit, so I had to report them and the agent to the barangay captain - got it back a week later and they were both fined." It's a total lie, of course, but it works like a charm.

Read the contract you signed, the answer is in there They might just evict you anyway, with a guard escorting you out I'd just leave the last month's rent and utility bills unpaid and be ready to be evicted at any time

By deposit, do you mean advance rent? If not, then no, you can't use a security deposit as advance rent. The security deposit is for covering the cost of any repairs if needed. That's why I won't pay more than one month's rent as a security deposit.

I've literally never lost a deposit. My current place even gave me back my deposit when we had a moderate pest problem. I appreciated the gesture, it made me stay longer, and here I am. My previous place returned it without being asked. I didn't even bring it up; the landlady just swung by on turnover day, I handed over the keys, and she handed over an envelope.